Loura Inspiração

John Shelton, hardly a household name, plays Johnny Briggs--a would-be writer. With some money loaned to him by his uncle (Reginald Owen), he sets off to the city to make a name for himself. Unforatunately, he tries to get a job at a cowboy magazine run by a couple crooks (Albert Dekker and Charles Butterworth). These two are deeply in debt and keep promising money to various folks--including the printer and the man who writes all the articles (Donald Meek). But the printer and writer are sick of the promises and both refuse to do any more work for the magazine. In steps Briggs--who has a couple thousand dollars and is naive enough to think the publisher and editor will honor their contract. At first, the secretary, Margie (Virginia Grey), helps her bosses fool this eager young would-be writer, but she falls for the guy and takes his side--making sure the pair treat him right and give him a larger interest in the magazine. While this might seem like more of nothing, there is a supposed upcoming sale of the magazine and if it goes through, Briggs will get his money back and more. What's next? See the film.

This slickly made B-movie is not what a lot of people would expect from a director like Busby Berkeley--a man known for directing the most incredibly over-the-top musical production numbers in history (in films like "42nd Street", "Footlight Parade" and several of the Gold Diggers movies). However, he apparently preferred making 'normal' films and later got his chance--and "Blonde Inspiration" doesn't have a single song or dance number!

As I said above, this is a B-movie. you can tell for several reasons. Although it's from MGM and looks a lot nicer than the average B, its length is only about 70 minutes and the film has no big stars in the lead. However, being MGM, it has a great set of supporting actors with Meek, Butterworth, Dekker and Owen. However, I would add that Butterworth (who played wonderfully befuddled guys so well) isn't given a lot to do here. Meek, on the other hand, is great as the angry writer--as the idea of this wimpy guy writing cowboy tales is pretty funny--especially when he gets drunk and begins acting like a western hero! Overall, while not a brilliant or must-see film, it is breezy, likable and clever--and unique. I certainly can say that with over 15,000 reviews to my credit, I STILL can't think of any other film that reminds me of this one!

Known for his amazing, giant, synchronized dance numbers, busby berkeley only directed 31 films. In this one, jonathan is a writer trying to sell his writing, but he's not getting any nibbles. At the same time, a local magazine publisher has neither money nor stories to put in his next issue. So they try to swindle jonathan by using his material, but giving the credit to the drunk who the readers have been reading all along. Kind of a silly plot, but we were way into the film code by this time, so silly became the norm. This has some really clever banter between the family members. And comedy greats charles butterworth, don meek, and reginald owen are in here to keep it lively and fun. It's good, as long as you go along with it all. Can jonathan dig himself out of this trap he has fallen into? This was released in february of 1941, while war was brewing in europe. Prior to us being yanked into world war two at pearl harbor. Stars john shelton virginia grey. Based on the play by john holm. Apparently, it's also known as "fools rush in" and "four cents a word".

This is an MGM B movie that has to rank near the bottom of Busby Berkeley's body of work. For starters, it's not a musical. There's no music in it at all. It's a strained comedy about an aspiring historical novelist turned pulp fiction writer who is taken advantage of by a couple of shady magazine publishers. It has a decent cast that tries hard. Very very hard. Oh boy do they try hard!

John Shelton is a weak leading man. Kind of a poor man's Dennis Morgan. Think about THAT for a second. Virginia Grey is beautiful but offers little else to the proceedings. Albert Dekker (forever Dr. Cyclops to me) does his best impersonation of a fast-talking character out of any number of WB films of the 1930's. Unfortunately, best or not, it's still an impersonation and doesn't feel like it fits Dekker at all. Charles Butterworth is his sidekick and he's equally ill-fitted for his part. Donald Meek has the best role in the film. Meek was always excellent so that should come as no surprise. Reginald Owen and Alma Kruger are good in thankless parts. This is a thoroughly forgettable comedy with a surprising ending. Too bad you have to sit through the rest of it to get there.

Based on a play, "Blonde Inspiration" is about a young man, Jonathan (John Shelton), who has had no success being a writer. When he visits a publisher of a western magazine to promote his talents, he unwittingly becomes involved in their money-making scheme. And he meets office manager Margie (Virginia Grey) there.

The story is convoluted and unnecessarily meandering. The best part of the film is Virginia Grey, who---despite the story---feels grounded in the reality of her character.

Fun little film mocks the writing profession. The film's title is a puzzle, because the nice-to-look-at Virginia Grey doesn't seem blonde (although she was in real life). Both Shelton and Grey are pretty cute as the leads, and Donald Meek plays a brash alcoholic pulp writer in an unusual role for him. Albert Dekker is good as the fast-talking boss. But don't look for any Berkely touches, this must have been during his sleep-directing period.